Coconut Trees Become Crossing Point as 300 Households Isolated Following Bridge Collapse in Lembar
Four coconut tree trunks have become the sole crossing point for hundreds of residents to transit between Mareje and East Sekotong villages after the connecting bridge in Lembar District, West Lombok, was swept away by river currents following heavy rainfall on Sunday (22 February). Approximately 300 households remained isolated for two days following the collapse of this critical access route.
The bridge represented the only connection between East Sekotong and Mareje villages in Lembar District. Its destruction crippled residents’ activities, including goods distribution and vehicle mobility.
Observations at the site on Wednesday (25 February 2026) showed residents queuing on both sides of the emergency crossing. Several residents assisted elderly people, small children, and others struggling to traverse the coconut tree trunks laid across the river’s flow.
Motorcycles and trucks belonging to residents were forced to park on both sides as they could not cross.
Local resident Rohidi stated that in addition to the main bridge, two other connecting bridges were also damaged by the heavy river current following three consecutive days of torrential rain.
“It is not just this one damaged, three are damaged in total. But this is indeed the main bridge, the biggest one, which is why our access has been cut off,” he said when interviewed at the location.
According to Rohidi, residents do have an alternative route to the main road. However, the distance is considerable and requires detouring through Kuta Mandalika in Central Lombok.
“There is a road actually, but it leads to Kuta Mandalika. The nearest alternative route is via Sekotong, about 8 kilometres from here. But we have to detour several more kilometres to reach the main road ahead, which is probably only about one kilometre from this bridge,” he explained.
He hopes the government will soon construct a temporary or semi-permanent bridge to allow residents to resume crossing with two-wheeled vehicles.
“Hopefully it will be built soon, especially considering it is the month of Ramadan,” he said.
Flooding and Landslides Strike Lembar-Sekotong
Previously, two subdistricts in West Lombok Regency, Nusa Tenggara Barat Province, were struck by flooding caused by continuous heavy rainfall. Hundreds of households were affected and several public facilities were severely damaged in Lembar and Sekotong subdistricts.
“Flooding occurred due to continuous rainfall. This caused water accumulation in several hamlets in West Sekotong Village and White Stone Village, Sekotong Subdistrict,” said the Head of NTB’s Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Sadimin, on Sunday (22 February).
Sadimin detailed that 182 households, or approximately 708 people, were affected by flooding in West Sekotong Village, Sekotong Subdistrict. The West Lombok BPBD is still conducting assessments regarding the number of affected people in White Stone Village.
“We are currently conducting data collection, rapid assessment, and emergency disaster response measures in affected areas,” Sadimin added.
In addition to flooding, the disaster also triggered landslides and the collapse of a connecting bridge in Kambeng Dese hamlet.
“A landslide in East Kambeng hamlet blocked the hamlet access road. The community’s road access was obstructed by landslide material, disrupting residents’ activities,” said Sadimin.